Voices is part of a new IPU web series in which we interview parliamentarians from around the world. The views and opinions they express are their own and do not necessarily reflect the IPU’s position.

Voices is part of a new IPU web series in which we interview parliamentarians from around the world. The views and opinions they express are their own and do not necessarily reflect the IPU’s position.

It should be no surprise that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared gender equality to be one of his main priorities. Japan ranks 125 out of 149 countries in measures of female political empowerment and 117 in measures of economic opportunity—a problem for both its global image and its economic prospects.

As Thai women struggle to establish a foothold in the politics of a nation that ranks among the worst in the world for sex parity in government leadership, news outlets in the West are cheering on the progressiveness of men attaining political positions while wearing culturally feminine attire and the label “women” as their identity.

Former National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete believes South Africa is not psychologically ready for a female president.

Mbete was talking to SAfm's Masechaba Ndlovu on Monday evening as the radio station celebrates powerful women during Women's Month.

Women have made great progress in the struggle for equality. But when it comes to filling leadership positions, women lag substantially behind men across industries, including in law, medicine, finance, academia and politics.